I Shall Not Hate

This important documentary follows the journey of Palestinian-Canadian doctor and bridge-builder Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish – between paradise and hell.

The poet Mahmoud Darwish has the honor of opening this emotionally powerful documentary with the words: «Peace for a land that was created for peace but never saw a peaceful day.» We follow in the footsteps of the Palestinian-Canadian doctor Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish – from when his parents were displaced in 1948 up until the first bombs fell in the latest war that has left Gaza in ruins.

For Izzeldin, the journey of his life began in the Jabalya refugee camp when, at the age of 12, he was admitted to the local hospital and discovered his life’s calling. As a doctor, he worked on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides, becoming a remarkable bridge-builder—until tragedy struck brutally in January 2009. An Israeli tank fired at his home, killing three of his daughters.

Seconds later, he was live on Israeli TV, speaking via phone to a journalist acquaintance, screaming out his despair to all the channel’s viewers.

Later, he took the case to the Israeli High Court and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Barack Obama.

I Shall Not Hate premiered at the documentary film festival CPH:DOX in Denmark in 2024.

Lasse Skagen

Director

Tal Barda (b. 1982) is a French-American documentary filmmaker and producer, born and raised in Jerusalem. She graduated from Tel Aviv University’s Film and Television Department, specializing in production and directing. Throughout her career, Barda has collaborated with international broadcasters such as HBO, ARTE, BBC, CBC, and ZDF.

This film is part of